Jürgen Klopp may have to reconsider his midfield transfer strategy after RB Leipzig rejected a £66m bid from Liverpool for Naby Keïta.
Klopp has pursued the Guinea international all summer, despite repeated declarations from the Bundesliga club that the 22-year-old is not for sale. Liverpool have attempted to break Leipzig’s resolve with a €75m offer, more than double their record outlay on Mohamed Salah, only to meet frustration again.
The Leipzig owner, Dietrich Mateschitz, told Sport Bild on Wednesday: “We don’t sell any of our players just to get money. Lately we got a €75m offer for Naby Keïta. No way! He has a contract and he will fulfil it. To sell him would not only be a proof of distrust to our fans but also the wrong sign for our players like Timo Werner, who is in demand too.”
Liverpool are confident Keïta wants to join them but Klopp may have no option but to consider alternative targets given Leipzig’s hardline stance. The Liverpool manager has refused to deviate from his first-choice targets so far – including Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk for central defence – but admitted after the friendly at Wigan Athletic on Friday that his patience was not limitless. There are suggestions Keïta’s agent is in Hong Kong – where Liverpool are playing in a pre-season tournament– to talk to the club about whether they will make another bid.
Klopp has sanctioned the departure of two central midfielders this week, with Lucas Leiva joining Lazio for £5m and Kevin Stewart in talks over an £8m move to Hull City. Hull’s left-back Andy Robertson is due to have a medical on Merseyside on Thursday before becoming Liverpool’s third summer signing, for £8m rising to £10m.
Derby County are the latest club to register interest in Sheyi Ojo after their manager, Gary Rowett, watched the winger against Tranmere Rovers last week. Newcastle United and Middlesbrough have made loan offers for Ojo but Liverpool have rejected the terms from St James’ Park.
